Reticle adjusting device for telescopic sights



alu-mun nw 3344 OR 3,280,4{23 SR Oct. 25, 1966 J. T. s'rADLER 3,280,463

RETICLE ADJUSTING DEVICE FOR TELESCOPIC SIGHTS Filed )lay l2, 1964 swam United States Patent O 3,280,463 RETICLE ADJUSTING DEVICE FOR TELESCOPIC SIGHTS John T. Stadler, 25 Whtewood Road, White Plains, N.Y. Filed May 12, 1964, Ser. No. 366,797 13 Claims. (Cl. 33-50) This invention relates to a device for adjusting the reticle of a telescopic sight such as is used in telescopic gun sights.

Telescopic g-un sigh-ts commonly have means for horizontally adjusting the reticle to compensate for wind and for vertically adjusting the reticle to compensate for range. lt is with the latter adjustment that this invention deals. On telescopic gun sights, the device for adjusting the reticle vertically comprises a means to move the reticle vertically, commonly a screw threaded member, and a knob or other device to rotate the screw threaded member. The latter customarily carries a scale which cooperates with a fixed pointer to indicate the extent to which the reticle has been adjusted.

When a telescopic sight is first mounted on a rifle, it must be sighted or zeroed for a lixed distance, customarily 1GO yards. To do this, one usually test tires three shots, and then makes any necessary adjustment from the center of the triangle formed by the hits from these shots. Commonly, the adjusting scale on sights is calibrated in minutes, with one minute change on the scale customarily effecting adjustment of about 1 inch at 100 yards. Thus, for example, if the triangle center for the lirst test firing were two inches bellow the bulls eye, a two minute adjustment would be made and the test tiring of three shots repeated. Testing continues in this way until the projectile strikes the target when the sight is properly aimed. Thereafter, so long as the same weight and type of ammunition is used, the rifle will shoot accurately at any target 100 yards distant.

However, to shoot a different weight or type of arnmunition, or to shoot a-t a different distance, requires repetition of this sighting or zeroing process for each changed condition if the gun is to be shot accurately when existing reticle adjusting devices are used. When it is considered for example, that ammunition for a 30.06 caliber ritle presently comes in eleven different types each with a diierent trajectory, it is obvious that current gunsights can not readily be made to `aim a gun accurately for all conditions under which it may be used.

It is an object of this invention to provide a reticle adjusting device for telescopic sights which will require but a single sighting, or zeroing, to adapt it to aim accurately at varying distances and when using different types of ammunition.

In one embodiment of this invention there is provided a rotatable screw threaded member adapted to move the reticle vertically as the screw rotates. An adjusting knob capable of rotating the threaded member is operably connected thereto. The threaded member and the adjusting knob are constructed so that, when desired, the adjusting knob may be rotated to a desired position relative to `such member without turning the screw threaded member. The adjusting knob is provided with means adapted, in conj-unction with cooperating means on a removable dial, to receive a removable scale dial with the scalle thereon is a lixed predetermined angular position with respect to such knob. A plurality of interchangeable removable dials of this type are provided, each calibrated in target distance measurements, for eX- ample from 100 to 600 yards, and a separate dial is provided for each type of ammunition. If desired, the two sides of the dial may be calibrated for different rifle barrel lengths for the type of ammunition in question.

Using a scope equipped with the reticle adjusting device of this invention, the scope is sighted or zeroed in at one target distance in the usual way. After this has been done, the knob is disengaged from the screw threaded reticle moving member, and is turned until the scale of the dial occupies a -predetermined position with respect to a fixed point, e.g. an indicator, on the sight. Thereafter the knob is again operably connected in this position to the threaded member. The dial, which is calibrated in range distance units for that type of ammunition, thereafter shows accurately the distance for which the reticle is set to aim the gun accurately. Thereafter, to tire a different type of ammunition, it is only necessary to substitute a different dial having a scale calibrated for the different ammunition. Since cach dial is calibrated -for one type of ammunition only, it is possible to calibrate the dial directly in distance units, e.g. yards, so that the scope can be easily adjusted to any firing distance by simply rotating the knob.

For a better understanding of this invention reference should be had to the following detailed description of a specic embodiment thereof when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan View of the reticle area of a gun scope on which is mounted the device of this invention but showing the knob removed;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the knob in place but with the removable dial removed;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the knob, dial and dial holding cap in place;

FIG. 4 is a view of the underside of the knob shown in FIG. 2 showing the head receiving cavity;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a replacement dial, and

FIG. 6 is a side View, `partially in section of the assembled device.

In the drawings 10 is the telescopic gun sight case and 11 is the reticle holder which may be of conventional design. 12 is an externally threaded screw pin member passing into the sight and carrying on its end the reticle holder 11. As screw 12 rotates, holder 11 rides up or down in conventional manner on the threads of screw 12 to raise or lower the reticle depending on the direction of rotation of the screw. The pitch of the threads on screw 12 affects the arrangement of the dial. It is desirable that the pitch be such `that one complete revolution moves the reticle through twenty minutes of angle of sight. However, reticle elevating screws which move the reticle through 18 minutes of angle of sight in one complete revolution of the screw have been used and screw 12 may, if desired, be of this type.

Screw 12 has enlarged diameter shoulder portions 13, 14 and a head 15. Shoulder 13 rests on case 141, and a packing ring 16 lies under shoulder 14 to seal the hole for screw 12 against dirt and moisture. A retaining nut 17 threaded in recess in block 18 bears against shoulder 14 and holds screw 11 in the gun sight while permitting rotation thereof when head 1S is turned.

Head 15 has a serrated periphery 19 as best appears in FIG. 1. A knob 20 has a generally axial cylindrical cavity 21 in its bottom adapted to receive snugly therein head 15. As best appears in FIG. 4 the vertical walls of cavity 21 are also serrated; cavity 21 and head 15 are so proportional that knob 2t) may be readily applied to or removed from head 15 in a multiplicity of relative angular positions, in the embodiment shown, at virtually every point of the compass, yet when head 15 is in cavity 21, the serrations on each inter-engage so rotation of knob 20 rotates screw 12 with it.

Head 15 has a threaded hole 32 therein into which a removable screw 22, passing through a central hole 23 in knob 20, may be screwed to prevent accidental reansogtes'v 3 moval of knob 2t). Knob 20 has a second generally axial cylindrical cavity 24 in its upper surface which is constructed to receive a generally circular dial snugly therein. Although cavity 24 is generally cylindrical, it has a reentrant angle notch 25, and diametrically opposed thereto it has a cut-out slot 26.

A generally circular dial disc 27, having an axial hole 28 therethrough, fits snugly Within cavity 24. Although dial 27 is generally circular, it has a projecting point key 29 of a size and configuration to t snugly in notched angle slot 25. Dial 27 also has a projecting rectangular lug key 30 diametrically opposed to point 29. Lug 30 is constructed to it snugly in rectangular slot 26 and to overhang the edge of knob 20 `a little distance for easy removal of dial 27.

The purpose of notch 2S and point 29, or of slot 26 and lug Sti-either pair alone is capable of performing this function-is to provide a means whereby dial 27 may be readily positioned on knob 20 and locked thereto with the scale 31 thereon in affixed predetermined angular position thereon and adapted to rotate about the center of rotation of knob 20 as the knob is turned. In the particular embodiment shown, point 29 and tongue 3d give the appearance of a point ,and tail of an arrow. Conveniently the dial for the type of ammunition requiring the least elevation of the reticle has its scale arranged so that the point of this arrow is located at the yard marker thereon for the minimum distance at which the scope is to be calibrated; if this is done, the dials for types of ammunition of the same caliber but requiring greater elevation of the reticle will have their corresponding minimum distance yard markers spaced clockwise from this point.

The shank of a screw 22 passes through axial hole 23 in knob 20 and screws into hole 32. Enlarged head 33 of screw 22 holds knob 20 in place. Head 33 is externally threaded to receive a screw cap 3d- Which in turn holds dial 27 in place on knob 20.

A fixed pointer 35 is mounted on case 10 and is positioned to cooperate with scale 31 on dial 27 to indicate the range adjustment of the reticle. It is desirable in the new device to prevent more than one complete rotation of knob 2t) when in pl-ace on head 15 because it is contemplated scale 31 Will be calibrated directly in range distance units. Therefore a projecting lug 36 on knob 20 contacts a retractable stop screw 37 threaded through pointer 35 to prevent rotation of knob 2t) therepast unless screw 37 is retracted.

In the scope shown a wind adjustment knob 3S also appears. This wind adjustment could be of conventional design. Although a clicking mechanism is not shown, such a mechanism of conventional design can readily be incorporated in the range adjustment device of this invention in a well-known manner. If a clicking mechanism is used, conveniently it may be designed for quarter minute clicks, i.e. each single advance or click would move the reticle through one quarter of a minute of angle of sight.

A second dial 27 having hole 28', pointer 29', lug 30 and scale 31 is shown in FIG. 5. The dial 27 may be considered to represent the reverse side of dial 27, or to represent a separate interchangeable dial. Therefore its scale calibration differs from scale 31. Dials 27 and 2'7 may be punched out of a thin metal plate or they may be made of plastic or any other suitable material. A separate dial 27 is provided for each diierent type of ammunition used, i.e. every caliber, weight and ammunition shape requires a separate dial. Conveniently, an appropriate dial may be sold with each box of ammunition.

To produce the original templates from which the dials may be printed, a ritle may be sighted in over the entire range e.g., G-600 yards, for which the dials are to be calibrated and at the desired range intervals, e.g. 25 yards, As each distance is established for the ammunition over this range, the template is marked. Separate templates would thus be produced for each type of ammunition, and, if desired, for each barrel length, and the individual dials would be printed from the thus established templates.v Use of the lug 36 as shown in FIG. 2 limits rotation of knob 20, and in that embodiment the yard marker for the dial requiring the least elevation of the reticle should be established at a point under pointer 35 when the knob 2t) has been rotated clockwise as far, or nearly as far, as lug 36 will permit. When this is done, the l0() yard markers for the remaining dials will be spaced clockwise from this point. When a scope incorporating the adjusting device of this invention is rst applied to a ride, it must be sighted in the usual manner with one type of ammunition using a dial for that type of ammunition. For example, it may be sighted in at 100 yards using the elevation adjustment knob 20 in the conventional manner to adjust the reticle until the bullet strikes the target. To facilitate this original sighting in, knob 20 is provided with `a scale 39 calibrated, in this case in 20 units, in the more conventional minutes of angle of sight. Scale 38 is printed on the dat surface forming the bottom of dial cavity 24 and is .thus positioned to be hidden under dial 27 when the latter is in place.

After the rifle is thus sighted in, the appropriate dial 27 is iixed in cavity 24, and knob 20 is then removed from head 15. Without disturbing the .angular position of head 15, knob 2t) is reapplied to head 15 with the 100 yard marker of scale 3-1 opposite pointer 35, and knob 20 is then iixed to head 415 in this position. If screw 37 has been retracted during the sighting in, it should be repositioned to act as a stop for lug 35. Thereafter, the scale 311 will indicate accurately the range setting of the reticle for any position to which knob 20 is rotated. Although FIG. 3 is too small to permit the showing of the actual range gures lon dial 27, it is contemplated that in use the large mark at 12 oclock in this ligure would be marked 50 yards and the six clockwise succeeding large marks would be marked 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 yards respectively.

-If the hunter changes his ammunition, he need only remove the old dial without disturbing the position of knob 20 on head 15 and apply a new dial 27' for the new type of ammunition, and the scale thereon will accurately indicate the range for which the reticle is set, because the scales on the several dials bear differing xed angular orientations with respect to knob 20, and the diiering orientations are functions of the ballistic characteristics of the ammunition.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the type described, a reticle, a rotatable threaded member adapted to raise and lower said reticle as the threaded member is rotated, rotatable means discngageably connected to said threaded member and adapted to rotate said threaded member therewith when engaged and to be rotated to a multiplicity of angular positions relative to said threaded member when disengaged, said rotatable means being adapted to be disengaged and t-o be re-engaged with said threaded member at any of said angular positions, a removable dial constructed and arranged to be applied to said rotatable member, said dial having a scale thereon, cooperating locking means on said rotatable means and said dial for lock- `ing said dial to said rotatable means with said scale in fixed predetermined relation to said rotatable means and to rotate about the center of rotation thereof as said means is rotated.

2. In a device of the type described, a reticle holder, a rotatably screw threaded member connected to said holder and adapted to raise and lower the reticle holder :as said member is rotated, a rotatable knob connected to said member, said knob and said member being constructed and arranged to provide for selective engagement of said knob and member so that rotation is imparted to the member as said knob is rotated and -to provide for disengagement of said knob and member to permit rotation of said knob to a multiplicity of angular positions relative to said member without turning said member, a removable dial having a scale thereon, cooperating protuberance and cavity means on said knob and dial constructed to inter-engage to lock said dial on said knob with said scale in `fixed predetermined position relative to said knob, and to rotate about the center of rotation thereof as said knob is rotated.

3. A device according to claim 2 having a scale on both sides of said dial, the scale on both sides of said dial lbeing calibrated in range distance measurements, the scales on the opposite sides of said dial having differing angular orientation relative to the center of rotation of said knob, the angular orientation of the scale on one side of said dial having a predetermined relation to the angular orienta-tion lof the scale on the other side of said dial.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said predetermined relation is a function of characteristics of the gun barrel.

5. A device according to claim 3 wherein said predetermined relation is a function of the barrel length of a gun.

6. A device according to claim 3 wherein said predetermined relation is a function of the ballistic characteristics of gun ammunition.

7. A device in accordance with claim 2 including a plurality of said dials each having the scales thereon arranged in differing angular orientations relative to the center of rotation of said knob, said differing orienta- -tions being functions of the ballistic characteristics of gun ammunition.

v8. A device according to claim 2 in which said knob has a dial receiving cavity, a hole on one of said knob and dial and a pin on the other, said hole and pin forming said cooperating protuberance and cavity means, said pin removably fitting into said hole, stop means on said knob adapted to cooperate with fixed means on said device to limit the rotati-on of said knob.

9. A range adjustment for a telescopic gun sight, comprising a reticle holder, a rotatably mounted externally screw threaded pin threaded to said holder to raise and lower the reticle as said pin is rotated, a head on said pin having a serrated peripheral surface, a knob having a central under cavity with a serrated wall surface adapted to be removably placed on said head with said head in said cavity and said serrated surfaces non-rotatably interengaged, said knob having a dial receiving upper cavity therein, said dial cavity having a key slot therein, a dial having a scale thereon, said dial removably fitting into said dial cavity, a key on said dial adapted to fit in said slot and to locate said dial with said scale in fixed predetermined angular relation to said slot and to be rotated about the center of rotation of said knob as said knob is rotated, means for retaining said dial in said upper cavity, a lug on said knob adapted to cooperate with Ifixed means on said device to limit rotation of said knob, said scale being calibrated in range dis-tance measurement.

10. A device in accordance with claim 9 including a plurality of said dials each having a scale thereon arranged in differing angular orienta-tions about the center of rotation of said knob relative to the keys on said dials, the relationship of the differing orientations between said scales being functions of the ballistic characteristics of gun ammunition.

11. In a telescopic gun sight having a knob adapted to removably receive in a cavity therein a dial having a scale thereon which is calibrated n range distance measurements said dial also having a key thereon adapted to fit in a slot in the cavity to locate the dial with the scale in fixed predetermined angular relation to the slot so that the dial will rotate about the center of rotation of the knob as the knob is rotated, a range reticle adjustment mechanism including in combination, a reticle holder, a rotatably mounted externally screw threaded pin threaded to said holder -to raise and lower the reticle as said pin is rotated, a head on said pin having a serrated peripheral surface, a knob having a central under cavity with a serrated wall surface adapted to be removably placed on said head with said head in said cavity and said serrated surfaces inter-engaged, said knob having a dial receiving upper cavity, said cavity having a key slot therein, means for retaining a dial in said upper cavity, and a lug on said knob adapted to limit rotation thereof.

12. A range adjusting device for a telescopic gun sight, comprising a reticle holder within the telescopic sight, an externally threaded screw extending into the case of such gun sight, said holder being mounted on the threads of said screw to be raised and lowered as said screw is rotated, an enlarged head on said screw outside the scope case, means mounting said screw to rotate in a fixed verticle position, a knob having a cavity in the bottom thereof adapted to receive therein the enlarged head of said screw, both the verticle periphery of said screw head and the wall of said cavity adapted to engage said verticle periphery having serrations therein, said cavity being of a size to removably receive said screw head therein with the serrations on said wall and screw in non-rotating engagement, said knob having a lug radially projecting therefrom, a fixed cooperating stop on the gun sight casing positioned in the path of the lug on the knob to prevent rotation of said lug beyond said stop, said knob having a generally cylindrical upper cavity adapted to receive a generally circular disc-like dial, said knob at at least one point having the walls thereof departing from cylindrical configuration, a generally circular disclike dial, said dial at one point in its periphery having its periphery depart from circular disc-like configura-tion, the departure from such configuration of said dial being complementary to the departure from cylindricality of said upper cavity in said knob whereby the dial may be placed in said cavity in non-rotating relation with respect thereto, a scale on said dial calibrated in units of range distance measurement, a removable screw threaded means passing through said dial and said knob and being threadedly received in an upper cavity in the head of said rst mentioned screw to hold said dial and knob to said first mentioned screw, a xed pointer on said gun sight case adapted to cooperate with said scale to indicate range, said sight being adapted to have said knob removed from the head of said screw and turned relative thereto and -re-applied to the head of said screw in a position that a reference point on said scale is aligned with said pointer after the gun to which the scope is applied has been sighted in.

13. A gun sight in accordance with claim 12 including a plurality of interchangeable dials each having a scale thereon arranged in differing angular orientation to the point at which said dials depart from circular disc-like configuration, the relationship of the orientations between said scales being a function of the ballistic characteristics of gun ammunition.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,338,745 5/ 1920 Maloney 58-127.5 1,638,600 :8/ 1927 Spiro. 2,452,592 2/1944 Meyer 33-50.5

LEONARD FORMAN, Primary Examiner. SAMUEL S. MATTHEWS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A DEVICE OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED, A RETICLE, A ROTAABLE THREADED MEMBER ADAPTER TO RAISE AND LOWER SAID RETICLE AS THE THREADED MEMBER IS ROTATED, ROTATABLE MEANS DISENGAGEABLY CONNECTED TO SAID THREADED MEMBER AND ADAPTED TO ROTATE SAID THREADED MEMBER THEREWITH WHEN ENGAGED AND TO BE ROTATED TO A MULTIPLICITY OF ANGULAR POSITIONS RELATIVE TO SAID THREADED MEMBER WHEN DISENGAGED, SAID ROTATABLE MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO BE DISENGAGED AND TO BE RE-ENGAGED WITH SAID THREADED MEMBER AT ANY OF SAID ANGULAR POSITIONS, A REMOVABLE DIAL CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED TO BE APPLIED TO SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER, SAID DIAL HAVING A SCALE THEREON, COOPERATING LOCKING MEANS ON SAID ROTATABLE MEANS AND SAID DIAL FOR LOCKING SAID DIAL TO SAID ROTATABLE MEANS WITH SAID SCALE IN FIXED PREDETERMINED RELATION TO SAID ROTATABLE MEANS AND TO ROTATE ABOUT THE CENTER OF ROTATION THEREOF AS SAID MEANS IS ROTATED. 